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ESL forum > Grammar and Linguistics > Present perfect-simple past    

Present perfect-simple past



chiaras
Italy

Present perfect-simple past
 
Hi!
 
Can you tell me which of the following sentences is correct, please?
 
A- Washington was the first President of the USA
B- Washington has been the first President of the USA
 
I think A is correct, but one of my students wrote B, so I want to be very sure about that. Couldn �t they be both correct? A-focus on when, B- focus on what
 
Thanks a lot!!!
Chiara

1 Apr 2011      





eng789
Israel

A is definitely the correct answer.

1 Apr 2011     



yanogator
United States

The Present Perfect is for action in the past that has a result in the present. Washington has been dead for a few years, so he doesn �t have many results in the present. So, as eng789 said, "A is definitely the correct answer".
 
The Simple Past is for action completed in the past. His presidency was definitely completed in the distant past.
 
Bruce

1 Apr 2011     



chiaras
Italy

Thanks a lot!!!Smile
 
I know the rule, but by dint of seeing mistakes in my students � tests I get unsure about myself Ermm and I need a revision! You �ve been very helpful!
 
Chiara
 
 

1 Apr 2011     



customer
Italy

Hi Chiara,
 
I understand what you mean. I start asking " E se si potesse dire??!".
 
Have a nice weekend
Chiara

1 Apr 2011